PGR students invited to attend development sessions

The Academy is inviting PGR students to attend Making an Impact 2022.

Returning for its fifth year, this annual series of development opportunities, focusing on knowledge exchange and research impact for researchers and research related staff across all career stages, will take place between the 9th May – 10th June 2022.

The Making an Impact 2022 Framework is embedded into the design of the Series, ensuring that multidisciplinary research-impact related knowledge, skills, attributes and competencies are covered across the programme. By mapping all sessions to the Making an Impact Framework, participants can build a tailored experience based on their own research impact needs, ambitions and interests.

Flexible and inclusive engagement

With the vast majority of sessions being delivered online, the programme is highly flexible and staff will be able to dip in and out of 60+ sessions. For two days of the programme, sessions will be delivered using a Hy-Flex approach, where participants will have the option to attend in-person, synchronously online, or asynchronously online.

Week four of the five week series has timetabled 6 pre-recorded sessions which include Keynote sessions and podcasts from previous Making an Impact series. These sessions can also be accessed at any time and are linked to many of the live sessions throughout the other four weeks.

A printable calendar version of all the events is available here. The searchable programme will renewed functionality to filter specific sessions enables participants to search for sessions that are aimed at particular role(s), cover specific knowledge exchange areas and innovation themes. Related sessions and resources will also be highlighted.

All sessions are free to attend and there are no parallel sessions throughout the programme and where relevant, breaks are highlighted in the programme. Staff can engage with short 30min sessions as well as more in depth 90-120 minute workshops.  Additional Making an Impact 2022 development resources that can be explored at any time outside of normal session times as well as many varied resources from previous Series can be accessed from https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/researcher/making-impact/resources/

BSL interpretation

In order to include and cater to as many participants as possible, for all keynote sessions, we will provide BSL interpretation as standard rather than waiting for anyone to request them.

Programme highlights

The 60 live sessions across the programme include Keynotes, interactive workshops and webinars, seminars, panel discussions, 1:1 career surgeries, live podcasts and masterclasses. Highlights include:

  • A keynote on Building a culture of innovation from Dr Iain Hennessy (Director of Clinical Innovation and co-founder of Alder Hey Innovation) Wednesday 18th May (11:00 – 12:00pm). Dr Hennessy will discuss his unique underground innovation facility for collaboration with the tech sector and how he developed a team of clinician entrepreneurs to drive change within the NHS. Register here.
  • A keynote/ Impact Matters session on Responding to COVID-19 by Prof Calum Semple OBE (Professor of Child Health and Outbreak Medicine, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital) Friday 20th May (12:30-1:30pm). Professor Semple will discuss his experiences and share his perspectives on informing the COVID-19 response. Register here
  • A keynote on the road from COP26, how zero carbon innovation is leading the way by Steve Rotheram (Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region) and a panel from members of the Climate Futures Research Theme. Wednesday 23rd May 2:00-3:30pm. This session will explore how the City Region is transitioning to a net zero carbon economy and how research at the University is leading the way on innovation in sustainability at a local, national and global scale. Register here.
  • A keynote on Knowledge Exchange – a funders perspective by Alice Frost (Director of Knowledge Exchange, Research England). Tuesday 24th May 2:00-3:00pm. This Keynote session will update on the latest state of play in terms of Government priorities and spending review decisions and funding allocations. Register here.
  • A keynote on Climate change and how Universities can make a difference by Prof Judith Petts CBE (Vice Chancellor University of Plymouth) Monday 6th June 11:30-12:30pm. Professor Petts has led the development of a new set of climate commitments endorsed by 140 universities which support government aims to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035. Register here.
  • Five “From Liverpool to Impact” sessions with UoL alumni on the topics which include; IP and innovation careers for researchers, professional insights from a career in industry in Asia and around the world and a panel discussion on business development and collaboration. More details of these sessions can be found at:  https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/researcher/making-impact/2022/open-sessions/

Internal champions and externally commissioned facilitators will be contributing sessions including  Leading Change and Innovation in Research and BeyondInclusive leadershipResearch Commercialisation: Success Stories & Best PracticeConsultancy: How applying your expertise can help generate impact and raiseFrom ego-systems to eco-systems and successful collaborationsthe art of listening and many more.

Networking and social space

A channel on Microsoft Teams and Kumospace “space” will be available for all those that attend any of the Making an Impact sessions to continue conversations, chat informally, network and make connections.

The playlist especially created for Making an Impact has returned again this year updated with more inspiring and motivational songs. Let us know which is your favourite track included or provide suggestions via twitter @LivResearcher. Access the Making an Impact 2022 playlist.

Recognition and value

Participants are invited to engage with the Making an Impact 2022 competitions and awards that accompany the programme of events. These include Gif Awards, Certificates of Participation and #UniLivImpact22 Twitter competitions in which one winner will be selected each week and will receive a prize.

Details about these opportunities are continuously being updated here.

Early booking is recommended to secure a place on in demand sessions. To find out more, please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/researcher/making-impact/2022/programme/

Further information

The FAQ’s page provides answers to common questions and further information about the Making an Impact Series, including what is new for this year, how to join sessions and networking and social media.

Follow @LivResearcher and @LivUniAcademy for updates and further information about researcher development opportunities, and the hashtag #UniLivImpact22 for news, updates and discussions about Making an Impact 2022.